12.6M views · Oct 11, 2013 · 21:26 · 6 HN recommenders · 10 mentions · discussed 2017–2024
Ruben Meerman presents a TEDx talk on the stoichiometry of weight loss, showing with lab demonstrations where fat goes when it is lost. He argues that most of it is exhaled as carbon dioxide.
Why Hacker News points people here: HN regularly shares it in weight loss threads as a clear, precise explanation of the physics of weight loss.
“The mathematics of weight loss is laid out clearly in 20 minutes here”HN comment, 2021
“Someone on youtube made a perfect video explaining this with enough precision”
Precise explanation of where fat goes when losing weight.
Someone on youtube made a perfect video explaining this with enough precision: not sure it's this one this video but close
“There is a nice Ted talk about the same topic.”
Explains weight loss mathematically, countering diet myths.
There is a nice Ted talk about the same topic. Something I often link to people saying "I can eat everything I want in this diet..." The mathematics of weight loss | Ruben Meerman | TEDxQUT: this video My personal weight-loss (and now sports) is largely based on understanding how the human body works with metabolism.. carbs, fat, protein.. nice and geeky
“here's a great TEDx demonstration with lab experiments”
TEDx demonstration with lab experiments on weight loss.
For the science geeks, here's a great TEDx demonstration with lab experiments: "The mathematics of weight loss " this video
“The mathematics of weight loss is laid out clearly in 20 minutes here”
Clear 20-minute account of the mathematics of weight loss.
Your description above is not how the body works. To support a mass M must require a quantity of energy E obtained from food. The attempt to alter this model with “loose” ideas about “burn rates” therefore does not make sense. The mathematics of weight loss is laid out clearly in 20 minutes here: this video
Mr. Wizard-style TEDx explanation of fat and energy.
Fat stores are considered, metabolically, as stored energy as they expand and diminish based on the metabolizable energy of the diet, which may be different from the measured total energy. But you’re definitely right! There’s a great Mr. Wizard-style TEDx video about it: this video
“Whenever I have a discussion about weight loss, I like to share this TEDx video”
Interesting TEDx talk shared in weight loss discussions.
Whenever I have a discussion about weight loss, I like to share this TEDx video: this video Just because I think it is quite interesting, not trying to make a point or anything :-).
Cited as the physics behind weight loss.
Really great data! Thank you for sharing. The hard part for me is mindset and willpower. Unfortunately, knowing the physics* behind weight loss doesn't make it any easier, and perhaps might make it more stressful. Why can't I do this simple thing that logically is as complex as 2+2. Our minds have their own prerogatives. I wonder then what did you tell yourself? How many times did you have a bad day? What was your mood like throughout? I'd love to know so much more about the psychology. Great article though and thanks again for sharing! * this video
“This is a video that partially explains the concept.”
Partially explains the body-as-tube concept.
I agree that cooking is a form of digestion, but that is not what I was thinking when I made my comment. We are walking tubes. The cavity inside of the tube is still external to the tube itself. This is a video that partially explains the concept. this video
“The only reason ANYONE ever loses weight is because they consume less energy than they burn”
Supports the claim that weight loss is energy in versus out.
Here's how I lost weight: 1) Download the Lose It app 2) Buy an apple watch (or whatever matches with your phone) 3) Connect the watch up to the app 4) Fiddle about with the settings 5) Stay below the line Excercise is optional . I did this for my dad and he can barely move, and he lost like 12kg. The only reason ANYONE ever loses weight is because they consume less energy than they burn, there is no other way for energy you consume to leave your system: this video
“This video explains how weight loss occurs”
Explains how weight loss occurs through breathing out CO2.
If you think about it, you breathe in 21% oxygen and breathe out 5% CO2. If you switch to 100% oxygen, you still breathe out 5% CO2. This is because the carbonic acid is tightly regulated in the body at a level that is in equilibrium with 5% CO2. When we produce excess, through exercise, we ventilate more to maintain the balance. But the partial pressure of CO2 remains the same. There is some oxygen removed but only as much as the hemoglobin can carry. Prolonged 100% oxygen has no effect on this and is also toxic over time. People on oxygen therapy are really breathing 40%, and 100% is only used for short stints during anesthetic procedures. This video explains how weight loss occurs: this video
